Apparatus for operating the starting device of water turbines or the like



J. E. ENGLESSON. APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE STARTING DEVICE OF WATER TURBINES OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.30,1919- 1 431 221. Patent-ed Oct. 10, 1922.

A 2 SHEETS-SHEET l- T T T 29 T /W 1. T T 41 LV M fwd/ant er 704 H A jemw/ J. E. ENGLESSON.

APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE STARTING DEVICE OF WATER TURBINES OR THE LIKE.

APPLlCAT-TON FILED DEC.30, IUI9.

1,431,221. Patented Oct. 10, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Inn/@70 9)":

fi/HQ/ fjav fn ajessan/ lyftdf' n v Patented Oct. 10, 1922.

JOHN ELOV ENGLESSON, OF KRISTINEHAMN, SWEDEN.

APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE STARTING DEVICE OF WATER TURBINES OR THE LIKE.

I Annlication filed December 30, 1919. Serial No. 348,425.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN ELov ENGLES- soN, a subject of the King of Sweden, and resident of F abrilrsgatan l5, Kristinehamn, in the Kingdom of Sweden, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Operating the Starting Devices of Water Turbines or the like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

For small hydro-electrical plants, used substantially for illuminating purpose, the expenses for the attendant constitute a very burdensome item, which one desires to re duce as much as possible. Generally however, the turbine may not run uninterruptedly day and night, as the mechanism would then be worn needlessly and besides a great quantity of water would be wasted. For the said reason most plants of the said type must be started as it is getting dark in the afternoon and stopped for instance at eleven ocloclr atnight and then again started about five oclock in the morning and stopped as it is getting light. lVhether the power station is located near the place supplied with current generated or far away, the attention of the same is troublesome and timeconsuming.

This invention relates to an apparatus, which renders possible the starting and stopping of the turbine at a distance by closing a circuit for a weak current either manually or by means of a so called signal clock or a distance switch. Therefore the power station need be visited only occasionally for the inspection of the machinery. The said apparatus comprises a power accumulator (spring, weight or the like), which, by shifting a member manuallyv is supplied with energy electrically or by means of a motion transmitting device, which energy is generated during the running of the turbine. At the same time a hydraulic governor is caused to shut the starting device of the turbine The said apparatus also comprises a catch, which looks the said starting device in closed position and prevents the accumulated energy from being developed. In addition a disengaging device for the said catch is provided which is acted upon in a manner analogous to that of the said member.

.slidable A form of the apparatus is shown as an example in the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows in a vertical section the apparatus by means of which the starting or stopping of the turbine is effected automatically or at a distance. Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line H to II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the apparatus combined with the starting device of the turbine and,with a servomotor provided with a governor for {)he controlling of the velocity of the tur- The apparatus, by means of which the starting device of the turbine is shifted automatically or at a distance, consists of a cylinder 1, in which a piston 2 is movable.

A spring 4 bears against the cover 3 of the said cylinder and the top side of the piston 2 and tends to force the piston downward toward the bottom of the cylinder. A cylindrical valve casing 5 is combined with the cylinder 1, in which casing a cylindrical valve body 6 is rotatably mounted. The spindle 7 of the said valve body extends above the valve casing. A conduit 8 for a pressure liquid, preferably oil from the oil pump of theturbine, communicates with the lower end of the said valve and casing and a passage 9 connects the valve casing with the chamber of the said cylinder and is located below the piston 2. The valve casing 5 is provided with an outlet 10. In the sur face of the valve body 6 a ring shaped groove 11 is provided located opposite to the inlet opening of the conduit 8. A preferably axial channel 12 is provided in the valve body 6, which channel extends upward to the level of the passage 9, so that the channel 12 connects the groove 11 with the passage 9, when the valve body is in a certain position, and thus admits pressure liquid into the chamber located below the piston 2, while the said connection is interrupted, when the valve body is in other positions. A second channel 13 is provided in the valve body 6, which in a certain position of the valve body connects the passage 9 with the chamber located above the valve body 6 and with the outlet 10. A weight 14: is mounted on the top end of the valve spindle 7 in a but not rotatable manner and adapted for the purpose stated below. To the spindle 7 one end of an arm 15 is fixed, the other end of which co-operates with the armature 16 of two electro-magnets 17, 18 or any other suitable device for swinging the arm within certain limits and thus for turning the spindle 7 and the valve body 6 into one of the said positions or the other.

The rod 19 of the piston 2, movable in the cylinder 1, is guided by a projection 20 extending downward from the cylinder cover The said piston rod has a longitudinal groove 21, in which an arm 23 is pivoted at 2 1 and actuated. by a spring 22. The said arm 23 has a notch 25 and the lower end 26 of the arm is bevelled. The front or outward edge of the arm 23 bears against an abutment 27, which is provided on the cylinder cover and keeps the arm 23 in its inner position in the e roove 21 ot the rod 19. The piston rod slides in a sleeve or ring, 28, which by means of a link 29 is connected with the one arm of a two-armed lever 30, which is firmly connected with the starting device 31 of the turbine or cooperates with the same in any other manner. The other arm of the lever 30 is connected with the piston 33 of a servo-motor by means of a link 32. The piston rod 19 is provided with a notch 35, which. is located at a suitable distance from the piston 2 and, when the piston is in its raised position, is engaged by a catch 37, pivoted at 36. The said catch 37 is normally held in its active position by a spring 38 and is fork-shaped. The shanks of the watch 37 embrace the valve-spindle 7 and consequently extend into the path of the weight 14; slidable on the spindle 7. The said weight 14 and the piston rod 19 are provided with co-operating projections 39 and 40 respectively. The projection 40 carried by a ring 50 secured to the rod 19.

The piston 33 of the servo-motor is connected with a centrifugal governor 13 by means of a sl dable valve 11 and a two-armed lever 42, in the known manner. The pivot 414-. oi the two-armed lever 42 is provided in the top end of a rod 41-5, fixed to a piston 46, which is movable in a cylinder 47. in the said cylinder 17 a spring; 48 is provided, which normally keeps the piston to in its uppermost position in. the cylinder. The chamber of the cylinder 47 located above the piston 46 communicates with the chamber of the cylinder 1 located below the piston 2 through a conduit 49, so that there is always the same pressure in the chamber above the piston 16 and in the chamber below the the piston 2.

The device operates in the toll-owing manner: In the position of the members shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the turbine is running and its velocity is controlled in known manner by the centrifugal governor 13 and the servomotor 34; and parts belonging to the same. To stop the turbine it is necessary only to swing the arm 15 into a position opposite to that shown in Fig. 2, which in the form of the invention shown in the drawings is effected by closing the electrical circuit through the electrdmagnet 18, which then attracts the armature 16 and swings the arm 15. This results in the valve rod 7 and the valve body 6 being rotated, so that the channel 12 through the passage 9 is put into communication wit-h the chamber below the piston 2. Pressure is thus applied below the piston 2, so that the said piston is raised against the action of the spring 4:. During the said motion the projection 40 of the piston rod engages the projection 39 of the weight 1% and raises the latter, so that the catch 37 is released. The upward moveinent of the piston 2 and the piston rod 19 continues, until the catch 37 by the spring 38 is brought into engagement with the notch 35 of the piston rod. At the same time the piston 2 strikes the lower end of the projection 20 and the movement of piston is stopped. In case the servo-motor 34L is not strong enough for entirely closing the means controlling the inlet of the turbine, the ring 50 on the piston rod 19 will reach the ring 28 earlier and then the additional servon1otor (1, 2) will assist the servomotor 34 in closing the means controlling the inlet of the turbine. At this moment the ring 50 provided on the piston rod 19 has reached the sleeve or ring 28, which now occupies its uppermost position, corresponding' to the closed position of the starting device ot the turbine, owing to the fact that the pressure liquid, when entering the chamber below the piston 2, also passes through the conduit 4-9 to the upper side of the pisten 46, so that the valve -11 and thus the piston of the servo-motor are shifted in such direction, that the starting" device of the turbine is shut. Owing to the face that the catch 37 prevents the piston rod 19 from moving downward and the ring 50 on the piston rod prevents the sleeve 23 from moving downward, the starting device is locked in its closed position. During; the upward movement of the piston rod. 19 the bevelled lower end 26 of the arm 23 passes the abut ment 27, so that the arm 23, after the notch 25 has passed the sleeve 28, is swung outward by the spring 22. When the turbine has come to a standstill, the pressure of the oi generally ceases gradually, owing to the fact that the oil pump has been stopped. and the piston 4-6 returns into the position shown in. the drawings and consequently shifts the valve 11 into the position in which the start in; device may be opened. The parts remain in the described positions, until the turbine is to be restarted. This is eiieeted by returning the arm 15 to the position shown in Fig. 2, by closing" the circuit through the electro-magnet 17. The valve rod '7 and the valve body 6 are then rotated backward to the position shown in Figs. 1

and 2, so that the chamber below the piston 2 is connected with the outlet through the out of engagement with the projection ib.

notch 25 is disengaged from the ring The said weight now falls down and strikes the catch 37, so. that the latter is swung round the pivots 36 and is disengaged from the notch 35 of the piston rod 19. The liquid then escapes from the cylinder through the passage 9, the channel 13 and the outlet 10 acted upon by the piston 2, which is forced downward by the spring The piston 2 is thus returned to its starting position by the spring t, which, consequently, acts as an accumulator. The arm 23, which during the first part of the downward movement of the piston 2 and the piston rod 19 is connected with the ring 28 by the notch 25, forcesthe said ring downward for a certain distance and thus shifts the starting device 31 of the turbine by means of the link 29 and the lever 30, so that the turbine is started. During the continued downward movement of the piston rod 19 and the arm 23, the bevelled end 2% oi the arm 23 slides on the abutment 27, so that the arm is swung inwards gradually and the 28. Meanwhile the turbine has been started and also the liquid pump, actuated by the turbine, so that pressure liquid is supplied to the servo-motor 34, which results in the servo-motor and the governor 43 taking over the regulation of the turbine.

' The device described above and shown in the drawings evidently constitutes only one of the forms of execution which may be used for gaining the result aimed at. The several members may be combined in many other ways provided that the arrangement is such,

that, while the turbine is stopped, a sutlicieut amount of power is eutomat-ically accunuilated for effecting the restarting oi the turbine. Consequently, the work necessary for the accumulation need not necessarily be derived from a special servo-motor, as is the case in the shown device, but in many cases the servo-motor 34 may deliver the saic work. The valve body 6 and the casing 5 may be arranged in another manner than shown in the drawings and the locking device connected with the piston rod l9 may be arranged in any other suitable manner. It is obvious that arrangements other than the electric device shown for shifting the valve may be employed, long as the memher 7 is shifted in the proper direction at the desired intervals, thus controlling the starting and stopping of the turbine. The invention, slightly modified if required, may be used also for controlling the starting de vice of other power machines than water turbines.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with the starting device or a water turbine and a speed governor for automatically controlling said starting device, of auxiliary means whereby to control said starting device from a distant point, comprising means for moving said starting device to closed position, detent means for holding said starting device in closed position, means for moving said starting device to open position, means for actuating said detent means to release said starting device, a shiftable member-adapted to occupy either oi two positions for controlling the operation oi said auxiliary means, and means for actuating said shiitable member to either of said positions.

2. The combination with the starting de vice of a water turbine and a speed governor for automatically controlling said starting device, of auxiliary means whereby to control said starting device from a distant point, comprising means iorsupplying hydraulic power from a suitable source, hy draulically actuated means for closing said starting device, detent means :tor locking said starting device in closed position comprising a member automatically actuated into a. predetermined position and a catch automatically engaging said member to lock it in said position, a trip normally engaging said catch and holding it out of engagement with said member, means for moving said trip out of engagement with said catch, means for moving said starting device into open position, a valve adapted to occupy either of two positions for controlling said hydraulic power means and thereby the operation of the auxiliary controlling means, and means for actuating said valve to either oi said positions.

3. The combination with the starting device of a water turbine and a speed governor for automatically controlling said starting device, Of auxiliary means whereby to control said starting device from a distant point, comprising means for supplying hydraulic power from a suitable source, hydraulically actuated means for closing said starting device, detent means for locking said starting device in closed position, means normally disconnected from said starting device adapted to engage and move the latter to open position, and means comprising a valve movable into either of two positions for controlling said hydraulic power means and thereby the operation of the auxiliary controlling means.

4. The combination with the starting device of a water turbine and a speed governor for automatically controlling said starting device, of auxiliary means whereby to control said starting device from a distant point, comprising means for moving said starting device to closed position, detent means for looking said starting device in closed position, means for actuating said detent means to release said starting device, means normally disconnected from said starting device adapted to automatically connect with and move said starting device to open position, means to automatically disengage said last-mentioned means from said starting device at the end of the opening moven ent of the latter, a shiftable member adapted to occupy either of two positions for controllingthe operation of said auxiliary means, and means for actuating said shitltable member to either of said positions.

The combination with the starting de vice on a water turbine, and a speed governor for automatically controlling said starting device, of auxiliary means whereby to control said starting device from a distant point, comprising means incliiiding a piston for moving said starting device to closed ,position, means for supplying hydraulic power from a suitable source for actuating said piston in the direction for closing the starting device, means carried by the piston adapted to automatically connect with said starting device when the piston is moved in said direction and to effect movement 01 said startingdevice to open position when the piston is moved in the opposite direction, and means for moving the piston in the latter direction.

6. The combination, with the starting device of water turbine and a speed. gover nor for autonmtically controlling said starting device, of an iary means whereby to control. said st; ting device from a distant point, compr a member carried by said starting devie, a n cle lent normally out of engagement with said member for moving said starting device to closed position by engaging and sh ing s; 'd ember in one direction, means ror acti said. element for closing the starting device, a second element normally out of engagement with said 1nemher for moving said startin device to open position by engaging and shifting said member in the opposite direction, said second element being moved into position to engage said member during the movement of said lirst element for moving the starting device to closed position, and means :lor actuating said second element for moving the starting device to open position.

7. The combination with the starting device o'l a water turbine and a speed governor for automatically controlling said start ing device, out auxiliary means whereby to control said starting device from a distant point, comprising a sleeve carried by said starting device, a member arranged in said sleeve and adapted to reciprocate therein, an abutment carried by said member and adapted to engage and move said sleeve for moving said starting device to closed position when said member is moved in one direction, an element carried by said member and adapted to engage and move said sleeve for moving said starting device to open position when said member is moved in the opposite direction, and means for moving said member in opposite directions.

The combination with the starting device of a water turbine and a speed governor for automatically controlling said starting device, of auxiliary means whereby to control said starting device from a distant point, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a piston rod carried by said piston, means for actuating said piston and piston rod in opposite directions, a member carried by said starting: device, meanscarried by said piston rod for engaging and moving said member in opposite directions for moving said starting device to closed and open positions, respectively, detent means for engaging said piston rod for locking said starting device in closed position and means for actuating said detent means to release said piston rod.

in witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

J Oi-IN ELOV ENGLESSON. 

